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No time for legal battles – Canon and Microsoft sign Patent Deal

The software giant Microsoft and Canon have signed a cross-licensing deal which will give them each other access to their patents, including certain digital imaging and mobile consumer products.

“This collaborative approach with Canon allows us to deliver inventive technologies that benefit consumers around the world,” said Nick Psyhogeos, a Microsoft associate general counsel for intellectual property licensing. “Microsoft believes cooperative licensing is an effective way to accelerate innovation, while reducing patent disputes.”

Microsoft has signed more than 1,100 licensing agreements in the past, a strategy that has served them well and kept them out costly law suits.